Written Answers

Friday 15 December 2000

Scottish Executive

Hutters

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultation paper on the possible legislative proposals to assist hutters will be published.

Iain Gray: I am publishing today a consultation paper, Greater Protection for Hutters, which seeks views on the principle and detail of possible legislative proposals to address concerns that have been raised following the dispute at Carbeth. The consultation paper sets out the background to that dispute, summarises the information that is available on hutters and hut sites throughout Scotland and identifies the key issues that would need to be addressed if legislation is to be introduced.

  The responses to the consultation will help the Executive to decide whether to proceed with legislation in this area. Copies of the consultation paper will be sent to interested parties and will be available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre and on the Scottish Executive website. The closing date for the consultation is 9 March 2001.